Remarks at a Fundraiser
for Gov. James R. Thompson, Jr., in Rosemont, Illinois

August 12, 1986

Thank
you very much. And thank you, Jim. Thank you all. Chicago, Chicago, what a
wonderful town, and it's even more wonderful if you're in Rosemont. I remember
I was here in `84. You'll remember we were doing something then -- had us
traveling around. [Laughter] Flying in on Air Force One, I thought I saw a new
building on the Chicago skyline. And then, as
we got closer, I discovered it was William ``the Refrigerator'' Perry.
[Laughter]

But
it's great to be back home in Illinois. And it's great to be
here with so many old friends: Governor Thompson; Lieutenant Governor George
Ryan; State GOP chairman, Don Adams; and countyGOP chairman, my longtime
friend, Don Totten. And, of course
the Illinois Republican delegation to the House of Representatives. I
think they must be one of the finest groups of Representatives this country has
ever had. And proof of it is that they're not here because there's some very
important business going on in the House -- and they're all there, and I'm glad
they are.

They
do have one serious drawback, however: There simply aren't enough of them. I
need more of the kind of support that they give me in the House. And we're
going to do something about that this November, aren't we? And I know this
sounds optimistic, but don't you think it's time that Minority Leader Bob
Michel got a chance to try his hand at being majority leader -- Speaker of the
House of Representatives? Speaking of support in Congress, I need a gutsy,
determined fighter like Judy Koehler supporting me in the Senate. And while
we're on the subject of guts, CookCounty needs a tough,
principled man like Jim O'Grady in the sheriff's office. He'll keep this city
safe for law-abiding citizens and not so safe for those who don't abide by the
law.

Well,
as I said, it's great to get out of Washington and back to the land of
my roots. As you may know, I went to EurekaCollege. That's a little bit to
the south and west of here. And I'll never forget graduation day, when the
president of the school handed me my diploma. He asked me a question that
really stuck in my mind. He asked, ``Are you better off today than you were 4
years ago?'' [Laughter] Well, I've posed that question myself a few times
since.

There
was a time, and not so long ago, back in 1980, when the American people had to
answer that question with a big, resounding ``No!'' The complete mismanagement
of the party then in power had made an invalid of the once powerful giant of
the American economy. After years of neglect, our proud military had fallen
into disrepair and the mighty United States had become a whipping
boy for penny-ante dictators and fanatics. A chorus of doom and gloom rose up
from our opponents saying our best days were behind us and ringing down the
curtain on America.

But
you can be sure the American people never lost faith in our country. They knew
that America's best days were ahead
of her, that the future was bright. And all they had to do was to clear out
those people in Washington who were making such a
mess of things. As usual, the American people were right. We came in and cut
taxes, squashed inflation, unburdened the economy of needless regulations, heralding
one of the longest peacetime expansions in history. Today there are actually
30,000 pages less in the Federal regulations than there were those few years
ago. We built up our military, and around the world we spoke out loudly and
clearly for freedom.

Today
America is once again strong
and united. Our economy is a powerhouse of economic growth and job creation,
and we've regained our rightful place as leader of the free world. Now, there's
one change that makes me particularly proud: We have restored pride in the
uniform of the military of the United States of
America. Today's recruits -- and they're all volunteers
-- are the most educated and some of the most highly motivated -- simply the
finest young men and women who have ever served their country. Indeed, we have
a higher percentage of high school graduates in the military than we have ever
had in our entire history, even with our wartime drafts. If we ever have to
send them in harm's way, I'm going to make sure they have the very best possible
equipment that America can produce.

But
it's important to remember those dark days 5\1/2\
years ago, because the tax-and-spend crew is still lurking in the shadows, just
waiting for a second chance. The liberal leadership of the Democratic Party
hasn't changed; they're as addicted as ever to big government, high taxes, and
inflation. They're just itching to repeal our tax cuts, to replace our
opportunity society with a welfare state. And their foreign policy is still the
same: slash defense and, when in doubt, always ``blame America first.'' The Democratic
leadership would chart the most dangerous course for a nation since the
Egyptians tried a shortcut through the Red Sea. You have to think
about that one for a minute. [Laughter]

I've
come here today to tell you that this election in 1986 will be a crucial moment
of decision for our country. Will liberal policies return us to the days of
malaise? Or will America continue down the road
to progress? The answer to that question depends on one thing: electing
Governors like Jim Thompson and Senators like Judy Koehler who'll work to build
America strong and proud.

I
don't have to tell you how important it is to have Jim Thompson of Illinois supporting our efforts
to slim down the Federal bureaucracy and bring government back where it
belongs: closer to the people. There are many people in Washington who have
forgotten -- or who want to forget this nation is a federation of sovereign
States, and that is our basic strength.

I
don't have to tell you about Jim Thompson's qualifications. The people of Illinois have kept Jim Thompson
Governor longer than any other in this State's history, and for a very good
reason. Jim Thompson is a leader. When he came into office in 1977, he, too,
confronted the wreckage of liberal Democratic policies, but he immediately cut
overspending and scaled back on the size of government. He led the fight on
another issue that's close to my heart -- tax reform, giving the hard-working
people of this State a long, overdue break from the tax collector; and he
completely wiped several other taxes off the books. He got the Illinois economy moving again,
attracting new businesses and creating new jobs; and today more people are
working in Illinois than ever before.

Foremost
among his efforts is relief for the hard-pressed agricultural sector. With tax
cuts, research funds, and loan programs, Jim Thompson has been a friend to the
farmers of Illinois. He's also led the
fight for passage of tough legislation that puts criminals where they belong --
behind bars. And he's been tireless in promoting excellence in education,
making this State's school system his top budget priority. A leader in tax
reform, jobs, and education, and a tough fighter in the war against crime -- a
man who shares with the American people a vision of the future that is as big
and hopeful and full of heart as this great country of ours -- Jim Thompson's
my kind of Governor, and I'm sure he's yours. Between the worn-out liberalism
of his opponent, and Jim Thompson's future-oriented leadership, there isn't
much of a contest. I think it's clear that come this November, the people of Illinois are going to say loud
and clear, ``Four more years for Jim Thompson!''

We
also have to get a message to the people of Illinois, and to all the
American people, if we're going to keep America on track in the future.
It's vital that we keep Republican control of the Senate. We couldn't have
accomplished what we have if we had not had control of that one House. Imagine
having to deal with two Tip O'Neills, and you'll know
what I'm talking about. If the Democratic leadership took over the Senate, they
would put so many obstacles in our way, we'd need ``the Refrigerator'' to push
through our legislation. [Laughter] We'd be playing a purely defensive game,
fighting a rear-guard action to keep the opportunity society and our strong
foreign policy from being dismantled piece by piece. I'd have to sleep with my
veto pen under my pillow. [Laughter]

But
there's only one President, and if he has to fight an obstructionist leadership
in both Houses of Congress, it could dangerously stalemate our country. We
can't let America be paralyzed by a
hostile Congress. We have too much yet to accomplish, and that's why I need
someone like Judy Koehler that I can count on in the Senate, because she's a
fighter for Illinois, a fighter for America. Now, I know the
pundits say that Judy is the underdog in this race, but I've never put too much
stock in what the pundits say. I remember back in 1980 -- it was just about 6
months before the Republican Convention. They asked the Washington Press Club
who they thought would be elected President that year. And all the candidates
were listed except one, who received so few votes from the Press Club that his
name didn't even appear in the papers. Well, I decided to hang around and give
it a try anyway. [Laughter] So, Judy, from one underdog to another: Just hang
around here and let's see what happens. Forget the pundits; it's the people who
count. And I bet you when they see more of this feisty, principled lady in
action, they're going to say: A woman Senator from Illinois is a very good idea.
They're going to elect Judy Koehler to the U.S. Senate.

Could
I interrupt here a second and tell something about this whole history of our
wonderful ladies in politics. Before Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of
England, she became the head of the Conservative Party in England; the Labor Party was in
power. I was there as Governor of California on a trip to England, and I'd been asked to
do some errands there by the President. And I got to meet her, and we had a
very good conversation. And that night there was a party,
and an English lord somebody-or-other came over to me and said, ``What did you
think of our Mrs. Thatcher?'' And I said, ``Well, I'm just greatly impressed. I
think she'd make a great Prime Minister.'' And he said, ``Oh, my dear fellow, a
woman Prime Minister?'' [Laughter] And I said, ``Well, you had a queen once
named Victoria who did rather well.''
He said, ``Jove, I'd forgotten all about that.'' [Laughter] Well, Judy, don't
let anybody forget about you. You're going to make a great Senator, and we are
all going to be happy to have you there.

Now,
maybe you've noticed that I've been very careful to refer to the ``liberal
leadership'' of the Democratic Party. That's because I believe the liberals who
have taken control of the Democratic Party don't represent the vast majority of
honest, hard-working Democrats. That reminds me of my brief career as the drum
major in the Dixon YMCA Boys' Band. And during one Decoration Day parade, I was
up there in the front leading the band, and I was supposed to follow the man on
the white horse. But all of a sudden he turned and rode back down the parade, I
guess to see that everything was coming along right, and I kept on leading the
band. But then the music began to sound rather faint, and I took a look over my
shoulder. The parade had turned a corner without me, and I was all by myself,
walking right out of a musical career. So, I can sympathize with the liberal
leadership of the Democratic Party. There they are, still on that same old
leftward course while the country has made a right turn.

And,
no, I don't mistake the honest, patriotic, rank and file of the Democratic Party
for its liberal leadership. And I'm grateful for all the help that they've
given us in these last few years. I'm sure there must be a number of Democrats
in this room; some of them may be former Democrats as I am, but also some who
still haven't made the change. But they have found more in our party of what
they believe in than they now find under the present leadership of their own
party. We couldn't have been elected in 1980. We couldn't have brought America back without their help
and the help of Democrats like those who are here today who believe in the same
values of family, faith, and love of country that we do. Our Democratic allies
deserve a vote of thanks, a real round of applause for all they're doing for America. [Applause]

And
that's another reason why I'm glad to have this chance to be with Jim O'Grady
again. I had Jim to the White House last winter, and I encouraged him to run. Jim's capable and effective -- a man who can bring integrity to
government, someone our children can be proud of and look up to. And Jim
is a symbol of a realignment that is going on in this country -- of people who
feel they've been deserted by their party leaders, who can take party loyalty
only so far and then just have to vote their true beliefs. When he was at the
White House, Jim said to me, ``The great Democratic
Party of my father's and grandfather's time just doesn't exist anymore. Mr.
President, I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.
That's why I switched parties.'' And I said, ``Jim, join the crowd.''

I
know how tough it can be to change parties. I was working for Republican
candidates for some time before I changed my registration. But for anyone who's
concerned about, and thinking about doing, that, I think Winston Churchill --
when he changed parties, was a member of Parliament in
England. And he answered a
question as to why. He said, ``Some men change
principle for party, and some change party for principle.'' All I'm asking of
the people of Illinois is to remember that the
Governors, Representatives, and Senators you elect will determine the future of
America. Will we push on down
the road to pride, progress, and prosperity, or will we turn our backs on our
destiny and retreat back into the failures of the past? I know which way the
American people will choose. They're going forward with hope and faith in their
hearts, forward to a future as big as our dreams.

They're
going forward with Jim O'Grady, with Judy Koehler, and the Illinois A-Team of Republican Representatives. They're going forward
with Jim Thompson, because he's a leader with experience and imagination -- the
kind of positive, forward-looking Governor this great State of Illinois deserves. So, when you
go to the polls this November, win one for Judy Koehler and Jim O'Grady. Win
one for Jim Thompson and his partner, Lieutenant Governor George Ryan. Win one
for the great State of Illinois and for America. And I don't mind
asking you a favor: Win one for the Gipper.

I'm
just going to close with one little statistic here. I know that statistics
aren't the most entertaining of things to say, but right now, with a few people
beginning to rumble a little and worry that maybe things are going to fall off
the track here, would you be interested to know that today 61.2 percent of all
the people, male and female, in the United States, 16 years of age or over are
employed -- 1,650,000 more of them in the last 7 months; 201,000 just last
month. I think that's a pretty good indication that we must be on the right track.
And let's not let anybody sidetrack us.

Thank
you all, and God bless you all.

Note:
The President spoke at 1:23 p.m. in Hall A at the
Rosemont-O'Hare Exposition Center. He was introduced by Governor Thompson.
Following the President's remarks, he attended a reception for major donors to
the Judy Koehler for U.S. Senate campaign at the hotel.